Top 3 Magic Trick Tips to Performing Magic

Magic has been around for as long as one can remember. Magic is something that can take people from reality to fantasy. I have been interested in magic since I was just little toddler. I'll never forget the day when I actually thought that my very own ear could produce nickels and dimes, real money! I was amazed at how my uncle could just reach out to my ear and pull out a dime at will. This was unbelievable in my eyes! What was more unbelievable was that my uncle actually let me keep the money that he kept pulling from my ear. I would run down to the local candy store and get my favorite sugar coated candy and would be on cloud nine for the rest of the day. Funny thing was, is when I tried to reach into my ear, there was no money coming out. How was it that my uncle could do such a thing and I couldn't? Well that is when I needed to find out how this was done and was introduced to the wonderful world of magic!

Over the years I have learned many magic tricks. From getting my first magic trick set, you know, the 50 magic tricks in one box set, classic stuff. They still sell the same magic tricks in that one box that I learned 25 odd years ago. Nicer packaging of course and just slightly more expensive, but still a great introduction to magic. The one thing that is not taught in these magic trick sets is the actual art of performing the actual magic trick. We can all follow the instructions on how to do to the magic trick, but no one really tells us what to say or how to act before, during, and after the magic trick. I have learned over the years through experience and from watching the masters of magic first hand, on exactly what it takes to create the moment of astonishment and disbelief. I present to you, The Top 3 Magic Trick Tips to Performing Magic! These will guarantee great reactions and memorable moments when performing your future magic tricks.

1. Patter: This is the most important piece of your routine when doing magic tricks. You can take an ordinary magic trick and turn it into a whole theatrical event if you can come up with the right dialogue to assist your magic trick. Now this is hard to teach but there are some common rules you should follow. One is to always look into your spectators' eye. Make sure you have their attention and they are listening to your every word. Second is humor. Humor is what gets people in a relaxed state and sets them up to be caught off guard as to what you are about to perform.

2. After Effect: Once you have performed your magic trick and your spectator is freaking out as to what they have just witnessed, do not say nothing to them. Just stay quiet for a minute and just stare at them. I do this all the time and it drives people nuts! They will just flip out, wanting to know what just happened but you are not saying a word. You just let them talk and talk and they will build up what just happened even more just by themselves. Try it, it works, you’ll see what I mean.

3. Confidence: You have to go in knowing that you are going to pull off one of the biggest magic tricks ever. You can't be going in nervous or weak, it will show and take away from the trick as the spectator will suspect something right from the beginning. Practice, practice, practice until you can do it blind folded. You need to come across as you truly are magical and have no doubt that in your mind that you can show someone something truly amazing. Your spectators will feed off this energy and will give you more respect for it.

Cheap Trick to Drop the Girls' Jaws

The Grand Illusion - Large-Scale Magic Tricks That Won't Fail to Impress!

Have you ever watched a TV magic special and wondered, "How is that possible?" have you ever been curious as to how the top magicians accomplish some of their most extraordinary feats?

Soon you won't be wondering; you'll be trying them out for yourself!

Let's start with one of the oldest tricks in the book, but one of the best and most vividly compelling - levitation!

Levitation

Since you're interested in magic and illusion I'm going to bet you've heard of levitation before. Perhaps you've even seen a magician perform this incredible trick and wondered, "How the heck is he doing that?!" Well, hold onto your hat, because you're about to learn how.

First off, what is levitation? We all know what it looks like - the act of floating off or above the ground. It's sort of like flying. All the great magicians try to perfect this trick because it's one of the most simply visually arresting illusions in existence. And it's actually not that hard to do...

We practical magicians know that there is some trickery involved in levitation as a performance. However, there are those who believe in the real phenomenon of levitation as a form of psychokinesis, or the ability to move objects just with the power of the mind. The only people said to be able to perform levitation in reality are the spiritual elite, or those possessed by spiritual forces, like shamans, people in trances, or those possessed by a devil.

Now I don't know anyone who's actually seen a REAL levitation outside a magic performance, so take this for what you will...

I mean, you can sit on the floor and meditate and wait to "lift off," but unless you're really in possession of some special supernatural forces I don't think you're going to have too much luck!

What I am here to show you is how to perform the trick of levitation, to give your audience the impression that you are floating, or else causing some other object to float.

Levitation as a magic illusion has recently been practiced in the public sphere by such magic superstars as David Blaine and David Copperfield. Copperfield even performed a spectacular stunt in which he appeared to float over the Grand Canyon!!

All smoke and mirrors? TV special effects? Not exactly...

This article is extracted from the book 'Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know'. Full details can be found at http://www.discovermagictricks.com

The Sorcerer's Stone

With the best-selling success of the Harry Potter books - kids and adults alike will be familiar with them -- the following makes a logical tie-in to a popular phenomenon.

One of the series of books is entitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

And, not surprisingly, this routine is titled:

The Sorcerer's Stone

Effect: The magician relates a tale of ancient alchemists trying to find the Sorcerer's Stone, which would turn base metals into gold. Showing three stones, he puts two in his hand and one in his pocket; when he opens his hand, the three stones have appeared there.He repeats this. The third time, he puts one stone in his hand and the other two in his pocket; when he opens his hand, the stone has turned to gold. Both hands are empty.

Working: This is a dressed-up version of the old two in the hand, one in the pocket routine.

You'll need four stones - any pebbles will do, as long as they look approximately the same - and a gold nugget. Don't worry, you don't need an actual gold nugget (although I do use a bar of gold from a pendant!); a fifth stone, spray-painted gold will do, or a fake gold nugget from a piece of costume jewellery. The gold is in your right pocket, three of the stones are on the table, and the fourth is concealed in your right hand. Pick up one stone with your right hand and toss it into your obviously empty left hand; pick up the second stone and toss it into your left hand, too, secretly adding the stone concealed in your right hand. Pick up the third stone from the table with your right hand and pretend to put it into your right pocket, secretly palming it. Open your left hand and show the three stones have magically come together. Repeat, but this time, when you put the last stone in your pocket, leave it there and palm the gold. The third time, pick up one stone and pretend to toss it into your left hand, actually switching it for the gold (the Bobo switch). Pick up the other two and put them in your pocket. When you bring your hand out, casually show that it is empty. Open your left hand and show that the stone there has magically turned into gold.

Presentation: "For centuries, ancient alchemists sought something called the Sorcerer's Stone, which was believed to be able to turn base material into gold.

"But, in our scientific world today, we know that there is no such thing - or maybe there is.

"These three stones on the table may look normal but - is it possible? - they may actually have ancient, mystical powers.

"Watch carefully as I put two into my hand and one in my pocket.

"And yet, the stones - even though they were separated - magically come together again. (Open left hand)

"Let me show you that again. (Repeat, this time palming the gold from your pocket.)

"But, while this may appear magical, it is still not what the ancient alchemists were looking for.

"They wanted a single stone (pick up stone and, as you toss it into the left hand, switch it for the gold) that would create a precious metal, like gold. (Put the other two stones in your pocket, casually showing your right hand now empty.)

"That magical stone would be the Sorcerer's Stone - and would have the power of creating untold wealth, in the form of gold." (Open your left hand and drop the gold on the table.)

Second thoughts: This could be done with any stones, although I use rough core slicings of iron pyrites (fool's gold).

If you want to produce something else - a diamond, for example - you could use a fake diamond for the final load and pieces of quartz as the other four stones (You can probably get quartz chunks at hobby shops, that sell rock samples.)

Vampire Bat

A question was raised a while back as to whether bizarre magic could include comedy.

Well, I don't see why not - provided it's done properly. After all, the great Ted Annemann, in his full evening show of mentalism, did a cut and restored rope trick right in the middle of the act. And, by all accounts, it worked. So the following offering combines (or attempts to combine) bizarre magic with comedy.

Effect: The magus relates a story of vampires:

"High in the mountains of Pennsylvania - or was it 'Transylvania?' - no matter; high in the mountains, there was a castle that towered over the local village.

"By day, the castle was inhabited by the infamous Count Dracula. (The magus takes out a nine-inch silk with a picture of Count Dracula drawn on it.) The villagers lived in fear of Dracula for, while they could prove nothing, it was rumoured that the count possessed supernatural powers, the kind of powers that mere mortals did not even dare to think about.

"For much of the time, at night, Count Dracula appeared to be normal - or as normal as a count could be in far-off Pennsylvania - or was it Transylvania?

"During the daylight hours, the count would live in a cave underneath the castle. (The magus tucks the vampire silk into this closed left fist.)

"But, once a month, the moon would be full.

"And, when the moon would rise, the count would leave his cave and be transformed into - (pause here and let the audience add the words "a bat". If they don't, carry on, adding the words yourself.) - a bat!"
The magus then opens his closed left fist, showing that the vampire silk has vanished, to be replaced by a bat - a tiny baseball bat!

Working: This is fairly straightforward and I assume most of you are ahead of me already. When you reach into your pocket for the silk, the left hand palms the small bat and a thumb tip. The silk is pushed into the left fist (the thumb tip) and the tip is then stolen out.

The left hand is then opened and the baseball bat is allowed to drop to the table.

Second thoughts: To make the silk, get a picture of a vampire (I got one from clip art on the internet) and tape a nine-inch while silk to the picture.

With a black Sharpie marker, use light, brush-like strokes to trace the picture; the brush-like strokes will keep the ink from bleeding into the silk.

With a red marker, add touches of blood to the lips and fangs.

Let dry for at least 24 hours.

For the bat, I found a baseball bat and ball key chain at a flea market; however, larger craft stores also carry tiny, wooden bats (along with a whole range of other cool stuff that can be adapted to magic).

This is one of those routines that is 90% presentation and 10% mechanics.

The entire routine - until the punch line - should be done semi-seriously and pompously (even the Pennsylvania-Transylvania gags). You are leading the audience in the wrong direction here, so pause and freeze at the end, when the baseball bat appears, to give them a chance to understand what has happened and to get the gag.

Don't be in a hurry to rush into the next routine; remember a cardinal rule of entertaining (or comedy): Never step on applause (or a laugh).

Don't Let Them See You Sweat! The Art Of Performing Magic!

The Art of Performing Magic Tricks

We've all been there. Our hands are sweaty, your heart is racing and your hands are shaking like a leaf. Yes, I am talking about trying to pull off your first magic trick that you just learned. You are excited to show your friends and family your amazing trick but then when the time comes, boom! its like you are standing on stage in your underwear and everyone is laughing at you! Even though you have practiced the trick hundred times or more and in front of the mirror, it's never the same when you are about to do it to real people.

Well, have no fear, as this you'll be glad to hear it can be conquered and you will pull of your trick like the pros! You see, it is natural for our body to tense up when the spotlight is on you, now not everybody is the same, some people are just naturally gifted to have that knack of performing for people, they love the spotlight, then there are the other 90 percent that have to work at it to get comfortable of the beading eyes watching there every move.

So, what do we do about this nervousness? Here are some quick tips for you:

When performing any kind of magic, be it card magic or a certain illusion...the best way to get your audiences attention so they are not focusing on what you are sometimes trying to cover up, is to use your hands as they will always follow your hands when you talk. The other thing is to always look into their eyes, this makes them focus on you also. Last but not least, in your routine, ask your audience questions, this gets them even more distracted and not so focused on trying to find the secret to your magic trick!

If you do all the above magic trick tips above, you will also notice that you will loosen up in the process knowing that your audience is in your control! No more sweaty hands, shakiness, or standing in your underwear feeling:)

You just have to learn some "patter", as in small talk, learn some jokes, some one liners, this will take your magic performance to the next level.

Practice these tips and you will have no problem with your future performances.

Las Vegas: The Best Magic Shows

Las Vegas is the premiere destination for those wanting to sit back and be entertained. If magic is what you want to see, then Las Vegas is the right place because it offers the very best magic shows in the world.

The essence of magic is illusion. Things that are there one minute, but disappear the next. This is the magic that kids love best, so if you are visiting Las Vegas with the family, reserve a place for yourself and your family where Lance Burton the 'Master Magician' will suspend your disbelief.

If you like your magic with a dash of comedy then Penn and Teller are the guys for you. They are the supreme crowd pleasers. They'll befuddle you with their tricks, let you in on some of their secrets and then confound you once more.

Rick Thomas invites you into his world of magic, which he calls, "The Art of Dreaming". He performs the most evocative magical illusions with his team of dances, birds and even, a Bengal tiger.

The Showgirls of Magic show is the prime Las Vegas experience. Gorgeous showgirls performing virtuoso illusions. The show is a cabaret of magic, dance, and comedy.

For more comedy and devious sleight-of-hand action try the Mac King Comedy Magic Show. King is a magical whiz and loves to include the audience in the fun. So it's the perfect magical show for all the family to enjoy.

Magic Trick For Free

There is a number of fun and easy-to-do magic tricks which a budding magician can learn to perform.

The key to showing off a magic trick is to practice until you have it perfected.

Here is one free magic trick for budding magicians. By trying out the basic magic tricks first, you can later move on to more complicated tricks and stunts to make you a joy to watch.

'The Magic Bottle Trick'

This is how the trick would look to a spectator:

First, the performer would ask for a volunteer from the audience. The volunteer would look inside the bottle that the magician is holding and show it off to the rest of the audience as a typical, empty bottle.

Then, the volunteer would return the bottle to the magician and also examine the magic wand.

The magician will drop the wand into the bottle, then turn the bottle over and let go of the wand.

The trick is for the wand to remain suspended inside the bottle.

Here are the supplies needed to pull off this magic bottle trick:

1. An eraser.
2. A bottle with a large opening where the wand would fit into. The bottle should be opaque.
3. A 'magical' wand which is taller than the bottle. Once you drop the wand into the bottle, part of it should stick up through the opening.

Cut off a piece of the eraser and make it be just big enough for you to wedge the wand into the bottle opening.

The eraser is the key to make the trick work.

This is where the trick comes in:

The magician would pass the bottle to a volunteer in the audience to make sure that the container is empty.

Then, the magician will take the bottle back and give the wand to a participant in the audience.

He would then slip the eraser into the bottle in such a way that it is hidden from everyone in the audience. The wand is taken back and later dropped into the bottle.

Afterwards, the wand and the bottle are picked up very slowly, upside down.

Then, the wand is slightly pulled while the bottle is being turned over. The eraser then gets wedged into the opening, then the magician lets go of the magic wand and voila!

The wand does not fall out. Slowly turn the bottle upright again, let go of everything and the wand remains suspended in the bottle and more importantly, it does not fall back down.

The wand is slightly pushed to release the rubber, and it is slowly taken out and finally removed.

What Kind Of Magician Can I Hire?

Are you thinking of hiring a magician?

There are various types of magic and magicians. Most magicians now specialise in a few areas of magic although some perform only one type.

Here is a general guide of what types of magician are available for a predominately adult audience although a good magician will take you back to being a child.

Close-up magic/strolling/mix and mingle/table magic can often be seen at cocktail parties, corporate events, banquets, wedding receptions and generally any party event where the magician mingles amongst the guests performing tricks and inter acting with guests. This is ideal for a reception and then when guests are seated at their tables and enjoying the meal.

Cabaret magic is a great way for a large or small audience to see some bigger or more involved magic tricks. Cabaret magic is suitable for most events but is most popular as an after dinner entertainment. Sometimes the close up magician will double up and also perform the cabaret. If you are looking for larger, flashy magic then it is ideal to hire an illusionist. Cabaret magic acts last between 20 and 40 minutes and normally perform for audiences of 20 to 600 however their are two rules that should be noted. The magician should be able to be seen and heard by everyone. Bear this in mind if booking after dinner entertainment in a hotel conference room. If you have lots of non English speaking guests you may prefer to have a silent magic act either manipulation or illusion however a comedy magician always plays well for an English speaking audience.

Corporations and companies are hiring magicians more and more to perform at Trade Shows and exhibitions. Magic is a great form of interactive entertainment where a message can also be presented in an interesting manner. The magician draws people to the exhibition space where the benefits and features of the product or service can be show cased. The magician can also present and provide suitable magic give aways that are branded for the company exhibiting.

A Bit Of The History Of Magic

One could enjoy watching magicians perform their amazing tricks. Whether they are in a circus, in a school program, a friend's birthday celebration, or in a favorite television show, magicians are among today's top entertainers.

Here are a few of the top magicians in their times:

The history of using magic as a form of entertainment may have begun with magician Chevalier Joseph Pinetti. More than three centuries ago, Chevalier Joseph Pinetti, wowed his audiences worldwide with his bag of magic tricks. And that was in 1782!

Among his tricks was the ability to produce an orange tree blossoming on stage that bore fruit. Pinetti's wife even acted as an assistant, helping the magician to do his mentalist and escape tricks. Known as the "Professor of Natural Magic," he was known for his great magic tricks, tricks that belonged clearly to the modern era of magic.

Come the nineteenth century. The said century welcomed the use of technical-assisted magic, with some of the magicians developing various devices that would aid or help in their illusions. Using optical aids or devices, electromagnets, as well as various stage lighting forms, these magicians were able to amaze audiences from time to time with their very elaborate and dazzling tricks.

One known magician in the nineteenth century was the magician Hermann the Great. Alexander Herrmann was his real name, and this German magician did his tricks with all of the kinds of stage magic he had known, even from super close-up productions to fill-stage events. An American rival, Harry Kellar, took over Herrmann's popularity for some time and became the most prominent magician for more than 10 years.

Other magicians in the nineteenth century included T. Nelson Downs and Howard Thurston. Downs is originally a vaudevillian by trade, but had become great and famous in his magic tricks that he became known as "King of Koins."

Thurston, on the other hand, invested much of his money in building an extravaganza, which is a show on magic. It reigned over the American entertainment magic scene for over twenty-five years.

Probably one of the more known magicians in recent times was Harry Houdini. Known as one of the best American magicians, he was known for his great escape acts, including his own famous creation, the "Chinese Water Torture Cell."

Another famous American magician is David Copperfield, who until recently performed numerous magic acts in shows and TV programs.

Bell, Book, And Candle

A while back, in a One-Man Parade in the Linking Ring magazine, Max Maven offered a wonderful routine involving those tools of exorcism - bell, book, and candle. He called it Toll, Tome, and Tallow (which is stretching alliteration a bit far, even for the Maven!).

I loved the routine, the props, the handling, the works. But it was a bit long for table work and so I came up with the following. It is completely different from the Maven's routine; the only similarity is the props - and they are crucial; the more charismatic the better, because the routine is 99% presentation and 1% working.

Effect: The wizard gives an ancient scroll to a spectator and then puts three items on the table: a tiny bell, a tiny book, and a tiny candle in a candlestick. The spectator has an absolutely free choice of any of the items and yet, after the choice is made, when she unrolls the scroll, it confirms her choice.

Working and Presentation: As I said, the props here are critical so you'll need a miniature bell, book, and candle. I got a tiny brass bell in a curio shop, the book and candlestick at a shop that sells doll-house miniatures. The scroll is about an inch or two wide and three or four inches long, parchment paper, burned on all edges to give the appearance of age. On it is written, in calligraphic-type script, the words: "Ye shall choose the candle."

Giving the scroll to the spectator, you say: "In the 16th century, a wave of witch hysteria swept Europe. In England, seeing a golden opportunity, one Matthew Hopkins set him self up as a self-styled Witchfinder-General. He would go from town to town, village to village, seeking alleged witches and proving them to be just that - or blameless. There were very few who were found to be blameless.

Hopkins used the traditional tools of exorcism in his rituals - a bell, a book - usually the Bible - and a candle. (Put the three items on the table.)

"To our modern minds, such simple things would seem unlikely to have any power. But, to show you the inherent magic in these three items, I would like you to pick up one and give it to me. (If the spectator chooses the candle, ask her to unroll the scroll and read it aloud. The routine is over at this point. If, however, she chooses one of the others, continue:)

"Now I would like you to pick up one of the remaining two items . . . (she does so - if it is the candle, continue as follows) . . . and hold it yourself. I will now eliminate the book. So what has happened here? You chose the bell (if that was the first choice) for me, you chose the candle for yourself, and you eliminated the book. Now please unroll the scroll and read it. (She does and it names her choice.)

(If the spectator chooses, from the two remaining, the piece that is not the candle, continue as follows:)

". . . and give it to me as well. You may now pick up the candlestick, since you have eliminated the other two items. Now, unroll the scroll and read it aloud."

At this point, all the ensemble fall down and worship you, as you so well deserve.

Second Thoughts: This is, of course, just the Magician's Choice dressed up to go out and go dancing. I said earlier that this is 99% presentation; the props should be as authentic as you can make them - calligraphic, aged scroll; brass or gold bell, miniature Bible, brass candlestick with tiny candle. Please do not use a Christmas bell, a paperback book and a birthday candle. You want to take the heat off the method and put it on the innocent props. Also, the wording is important. It must sound to the spectator that she is making all the decisions.

Have fun with this - and scare the knickers off your audience!